Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-10-03

ton of our Government, among true
Americans the truest. Furthermore, can
the memory of our own times prove false
to us2 We all remember the evil years
when native American sons-the chivalry
of America-plotted and attempted the de-
struction of our constitutional existence.
Where were the Catholics in those days of
woeiul anxiety? Where, indeed, but in the
ARMIES OF THEIR LOVED LAND
On the side of liberty for all, now in the
front ranks of the defenders of the Consti-
tuition, for which their forefathers poured
out their hearts blood. 1t was the old story
over again. Catholic Spain and France on
our side, Irish exiles rushing TO stay the
onward destruction of rebellious sons.
Read the history of the Irish Brigade
listen to the stories every day told in our
magazines by leading spirits of that war,
and hear the songs of praise sung in honor
OF those whose names are tokens of catho-
licity. Even to-day our army and navy
are to an unbelieved extent Catholic, and
our soldier of soldiers is a Caiholic-the
son OF an Irishman. Catholics are to-day
the bone and sinew of our laboring classes
the merchant princes, the masters of po-
litical science, and proud possessors of the
highest officers in the gift of their neigh
bors. Can our brethren read these facts
and comprehend where we stand?
Do they notice our grand churches
fast fixed in the land and
our grand institutions for the alleviat-
ing of human ills. We are not foreigners :;
we are here by every right human Justice
recognizes, and no power can force us from
the country of our choice or birth The
last thought which came to my mind
springs from the Catholic impression seen
on the face of our own State-the paradise
OF the best nation the world has ever seen
or will see. Catholicty set its seal on Cal
ifornia when the reformation was in its
swaddling clothes. The good monks.
whose ruined churches are kept with pride,
were not satisfied as we are to-day with
DEDEcATING TEMPLES TO GOD,
But even consecrated their rivers, bavs,
mission districts, cities and towns to God,
under the patronage of Catholic saints :
San Francisco and its beautiful bay, in
honor OF st. Francis Los Angeles, in honor
of the angels; Santa Clara, Santa Cruz.
Santa Barbara, acramento-breathing the
pure spirit of Catholicity. The same NAV
be said OF every corner of the land; a st.
Paul and ST. Anthony away to the north.
st. Lawrence river, a st. George lake-all
speaking in voices that will be heard of the
rights OF Catholics to the full enjoyment of
life, liberty and happiness on the free soil
of America.
The lessons these few thoughts teach us
are, that we can put our foot down on the
land and say it is our own; that those who
dispute our claims are deserving of pity, on
account of their gross ignorance: that our
country owes, in great measure, its pre-
servahon tothe children of the Catholic
Church that its liberty is the fruit of Cath
ollc doctrine, and its discovery due to
Catholic knowledge and genius. These
lessons should make US stand on our feet
like men; strengthen our faith in the mis-
sion of the Church fill our .souls with
pride in the Divine institution which has
civilized the world and developed all the
latent powers of the mind of nAen. Thus
we will be better Christians, trues citizens.
and worthy of the blessings we enioy for,
after our love of God, the most Sacred of
duties IS our patriotic, all-sacrifcing love of
country.
CONFIRMATION.
At the conclusion of these devotional
exercises the congregation was dismissed TO
reassemble at 3 P. NJ, when a class of fifty-
eight children was presented to the Bisb6n
for confirmation. The class consisted of
Catherine Walters, Wilhelmina Wyand.
Elizabeth Boedefeld, Alice SheperGson'
Emma Cell, Elizabeth Recke1, Vornica
Smith, Margaret Roach, Lucy Baker.
Helena Nan, Gertrude Brostron, Genevieve
James, Ellen Sweeney, Ann Sweeney, Ellen
Roderick, Josephine Mcconnell, Henrietta
Probst, Jane Myers, Maud Eller, Gene
We've Ranke, Elizabeth Rickers, Nettie
Baker, Josephine Toomey, May Blk
Ter, Eta Roderick, Margaret MYERS.
Anne Green, Clara Amherst, Mary Lanna-
han, Ann Hagan, Ann Dunlap, Josephine
;r1n A,,4n
ley, Joseph Brown John Rockers, James
Roach, Daniel Ross, Timothy Bagley, Hen
ry Martin, Christopher Jones, Thomas
Clark, James Keegan, John Clark, John
Fitzgerald, Joseph Bodefield, Antoine keck-
ers, Henry Donley, Francis Rockers, Chas.
Roderick, Aloysius Boedefield, Lul
Wyand, Daniel Bagley, Henry Sexton,
Francis Whelfrom, Joseph Burns, Charles
Probst. John Reynolds, Eugene Bagley and
Thomas Fitzgerald.
We regret that the exigencies of space
prevent the presentation of even synopsis
of the fervent address of the Bishop to the
class, which was one of counsel to live.
lives that would honor the church and
secure them the blessings of heaven, and
the approval of their own conseiences.
THE CHURCH.
The church edifice was erected in 1880.
and completed the following year. Prior
to 1867, the Catholic people of that vicinity
worshiRed in the Court house. Mrs.
VIII. S. Green, Mrs. J. H. Lin
ing and Mrs. William Miller being
the only commitments at first, and
Father McNulty being the first priest. Mrs.
Lining is dead; the other communicants
still live in Colusa. The first Catholic
church was built in 1867, and was brick
of Marysville, now dead, holding service in
it once month. Father f. c. Becker sue
ceeded him, and Father A. O. Mcdonald,
Father Ed Kelley, Fathers Coffey, Hag-
gerty, Quigley and Cassidy succeeding, in
the order named. Father Wallrath, the
present pastor, followed Father Cassidy.
He labored diligently in enlarging the
parish residence and beautifying the
grounds. In 1880 the work on the present
church building began under his superin-
tendence, and that Colusa has such
church to-dayis due mainly to his untiring
labors. 1t is brick building of Gothic
architecture 9S feet in length by 40 feet in
width. Its hight from floor to the inside
feet in hight. The auditorium is II feet 6
inches by 40 feet, and the seating capacity
is 500,
OF the building is not elaborate. but
exceedingly CT aste and beautiful
and no building in Colusa has been
better or so well constructed as
to excellence of material, and the
strength of construction. The ladies of
Colusa have labored for eight years to raise
the money to pay for the building, which
cost $50, 900, in each year holding a fair for
that purpose. Not until the whole sum
was paid was it dedicated.
THE MEMBERSHIP
OF the church is $50 parishoners. 1t is
now intended by them to erect building
for a girls school, and land for site has
already been secured. The only incident
that at all interrupted the ceremonies of
yesterday was the ignition of pampas grass
which formed a portion of the
decorations of the altar. Some
momentary confusion ensued, but the
audience was quickly euieted At4P. M.
grand concert was given for the benefit of
the church in the theater building. which
was well filled by the people. The pro-
gramme was as follows Quartet, Mesdames
Albery and Grover, Messrs Albery and
Grover; solo, 80 Holy Mother Guide Our
Footsteps" Miss Annie R,1rns. Ouet